If you are here:

I am closing this blog. Just too many blogs to keep up with, so I'm trying to condense them down to only about three. Also, I want to make them in a way you can find things more easily and know which blog you'd like to go to.

I will have one for my everyday stuff which can consist of my project 365, scrapbooking, and whatever strikes my fancy. This blog can be found here: Barb's Bite Sized Notes

My Photo-A-Day consist of things in my county in PA. Check that out here:
Photo-A-Day-Centre County PA

You will also see my blog where it will only consist of recipes that I like. It can be found here: Serving Up Cinnamon Toast (This is in progress and you may not see it actually listed for another few weeks.)

Please feel free to visit any of these blogs and comments are always welcome. And, if you are a follower of mine please feel free to follow one or more of my other blogs. Would love to have you visit.

I will leave this up for a month or so and then take it down altogether. You can either bookmark my other blogs or follow me. Thanks for stopping by.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

If you are visiting this blog, first let me appologize for not posting more often. I can't believe that I haven't posted for a whole year here. Wow! That was a shocker to see.

I'm hoping to combine all my blogs into one starting the new year so when you come back you may have to rejoin my single blog. I have three right now and it's just to hard to keep up with that many. So combining them will be in my best interest and probably yours so you know which one to go to since there maybe only one. lol.

Anyway, Hope everyone has a Good Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope to be back blogging for 2012.

In 2012, I am hoping to get started on a new project I haven't done before. Some call it Project 365 and others call it Project Life. Either way it's about taking a photo a day, along with some journaling, and log your life for a year. Hence the 365 for 365 days in a year. Although, this year I think is a leap year for 366 days.

Please come back and join me in 2012. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and Cheers to you all.


Do you pick a "word" each year to focus on? I started a few years ago doing this with Ali Edwards blog site. It does inpire you to keep on focusing on your word all year and to accomplish your goals.

This year my word is perseverance....per·se·ver·ance 
The online dictionary defines it as...
1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
2. Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

The sky's the limit
on what your "word" will mean to you though.

To me my word will mean several things that I want to accomplish this year in 2011.
1. To get fit and healthy. I will perservere until I meet my goal. I've had so many health issues in 2010 that I think it's time to really buckle down and focus on what's important in getting fit and healthy. This will help me not end up at the doctors office so much. At least that's the plan. I will take long walks throughout the year to try and keep myself healthy and fit.

2. To declutter and get organized, along with to simplify.

I want to perservere this year and get rid of the last giant chunk of clutter that's weighing me down. I'm tired of looking for things and having a hard time finding them. Last year (2010), my word was "declutter". And, even though I did get rid of alot of stuff over the year I still didn't complete what I wanted to accomplish, so this year I hope to get rid of the clutter, get the rest organized and downsize my stuff I don't use or want, just to simplify.

So, I hope you will stop by often and follow me this year on my journey to complete these goals I've set for myself. Instead of making New Years resolutions, I like setting my "word" for the year. This has kept me focused far more than the resolutions. I'm not sure why it works but I just know it does. Maybe it will open up some doors for you too.


Read more about Ali and her "One Little Word" by going to her website here at Ali Edwards. She's also doing a class on "One Little Word" at Big Picture Classes.

Let's sit back and relax and enjoy the journey in 2011.

Health Issues, Exercise, and the Holidays

Just letting everyone know I've been having a few health issues the last few months and hope to get back to blogging soon. Hope everyone has a nice Christmas and New Year. Please stop back after the holidays. I can't exercise too much right now...doctors order, but I really hope I can get all this straightened out.

From our house to your house...Happy Holidays! I will try to visit everyone's blog in the New Year.

Wow! It's Been a Month

Sorry, I didn't realize I haven't posted for a whole month. I've never slacked so much on my blogs.

Health Issues: I've been going through some health issues. In August I had my gallbladder removed, which I'm so glad I did. I hardly ever have heartburn anymore. It was so severe at times I couldn't stand it. I was taking over the counter heartburn meds everyday. Now I hardly ever take them. Hooray!

On another note, I was dealing with feet problems before that. I got my left foot fixed up and now my right foot has been causing me all kinds of problems. I went for a x-ray and then a MRI. Well, the orthopedic said I have arthritis developing in my right foot probably brought on from foot surgery I had a good while ago. Well, I'm having a hard time excepting that so am going to get a second opinion in a week or so. It's not that I don't believe him as much as I don't want to except this conclusion, although I may have to. Unfortunately, my foot burns so bad on the bottom sometimes it's hard to walk, and I don't want to give up my volunteer work walking dogs for the animal shelter. So, a second opinion is the way to go. At least I need to know how to keep it under control so it doesn't get worse.

Exercise: Well, I've been doing some dog walking and love spending time with these animals. That being said, I only do that a couple of times a week, and when my foot hurts really bad I need to find other avenues to take when it comes to exercise. I went out last week and bought some of those stretch bands. Haven't taken them out of the box yet, but I really do intend to. With that being said, I only lost about 2 lbs. but as always, losing even a small amount is better than none at all. Right?

If anyone has any suggestions on what type of exercise to do that will take the strain off my feet, please let me know. Also, any tips on arthritis of the foot will be helpful and appreciated.

Some Suggestions from Others I've Learned: Well, I've asked several people since the doctor said I have arthritis and some people suggested these tips to help:
New Balance Shoes: I've found a site on the Internet but haven't bought any yet. Go here to New Balance to find a store close to you. Just type in your zip code and the closet store will come up.
Dr. Scholl's shoe inserts: I went to Wal-Mart to use that foot machine you stand on and then it recommends the type of insert you will need. This site HERE explains it. They are a little bit pricey but for the comfort, and if you can barely walk, it's worth the price you pay I guess. I guess it's half the price at a doctors office. At least that's what someone told me.
Cold Compresses: I've also been putting a cold compress on my feet when they burn and are inflamed, which seems to help temporary.

I guess everyone needs to find out what works best for them. Please make sure that you ask your own doctor about what to use. I'm not recommending anything, just saying what suggestions were told to me and things I've been trying.

An Update ...

Just a quick update and why I haven't been blogging lately. As you know I've been trying to lose weight and not being very successful at it at the moment. Anyway, I figured since I was having a hard time pushing myself to exercise and the fact that I love dogs, I decided to start volunteering at an animal shelter a few days a week. It keeps my mind off the food, so it helps me, and it helps the dogs by walking them and spending time with them.

I knew I'd enjoy working with the dogs because it doesn't matter what breed they are, I just love them. I was really worried I would have a hard time leaving them once there, and even though that part is hard, it's wonderful knowing that you are making their lives a little bit better in a way. I wasn't prepared for how much I would enjoy it. I absolutely love working with them. They are so sweet and you get to hear their stories. Makes you want to take them all home.

So, anyway, that's what I've been up to. I have lost a pound and a half. Not much but I'm working on it everyday. Well, not really, I'm working on it when I visit the dogs. But, that being said, it is getting me motivated to start to do more things and that's gotta be a good thing. Right? The more I get moving the more I want to move and hopefully it will get me kick started to get into some kind of exercise routine.

Heck! I don't even mind getting soaking wet like I did the other day to spend time with the dogs at the shelter. It's worth it. So, If you have some extra time to spare, maybe you can volunteer at your local animal shelter. I know some of you say well I can't do it because I won't want to leave them there. To that I say, just remember your doing it for them. It's better to spend time with them for a little while than none at all. And, who knows those of you who are trying to lose weight and get fit and healthy may just find yourself losing a little bit of weight in the bargain.

Here's just a couple sweet dogs at the shelter...
Daisy...

And, Woody...
but there are so many more. To see more at this shelter go here: Paws (photos taken by Paws)

Or visit your local shelter in your own area. All these animals are just waiting for loving homes.

Portobella Mushrooms and Exercise

Food: I just tried eating a hamburger on two large portabella mushrooms used as the bun, and I must say it was delicious. (I got this photo and some of the nutrition facts from this site.. What's Cooking America

These large mushrooms are excellent as the bun because they have 0% fat and only about 26 calories. A large mushroom from what I read on the Internet but can vary from site to site, has about 2 to 3 grams of fiber and about only 3 grams of carbohydrates. They are high in protein. So if you are watching carbs or calories they are wonderful. They are also great for people with diabetes who need to watch carbs.

The way I cooked mine up was to clean out the gills on the inside, then I put some butter in a skillet, browned them on both sides, and then added some apple cider vinegar to carmilize them a bit. It tasted great. You can also cook them by baking or grilling them too. Of course the butter I used will add some fat but it's better than eating a high carb roll. Next time I may try grilling or some other way of cooking them.

Exercise: I haven't been blogging much in the last week or so but hope to get back to it again like I was doing. As far as exercise I've been averaging about 2 to 3 days a week in the past several weeks. I'm feeling much better after my gall bladder surgery and I'm also hoping next week to exercise with some of my exercise tapes along with more walking. Next week is also the week I'll be going to take the training for volunteer at a animal shelter. I'm hoping by walking and spending time with the dogs it will help me lose some of this weight and get my mind off of food.

Recap: Also, I guess I missed week 16 of my postings all together and it's now week 17 on my journey to weight loss and getting healthy. As you can see not much has really changed much in my weight or exercise habits, but I keep moving along and I keep trying to change it. I can't believe that almost 4 months has gone by already since I said I was commiting to a year to change my eating and exercise habits and I'm basically still at the same weight I was when I started. This is a wake up call to get it together for me. What I've been doing so far isn't working right, so I need to change it. I will get back to you on that one.

Major Life Issue That Should be Addressed - Dogs Unchained

This woman is fighting to make it a law against chaining dogs up. She is chained at Harrisburg Capitol to Win Law for Abused Dogs. How would you like to be chained to a dog box all your life in all kinds of weather? Watch this video.

Last year I heard about a dog in our area who ended up with their paws frozen to the pavement and then died because someone left the poor dog out in the freezing cold. Let's help this lady get this law passed to Unchain the Dogs and give them all a better life.

Here's a quote that was sent to me in my email..."Dogs Need Change. Not Chains." is one of the taglines that drives Tamira Thayne's "Operation Fido Freedom." Thayne has made headlines by chaining herself to the PA State Capitol Building from 8:00 - 6:00 every day until SB 1435, a limiting chaining law, is passed in PA."

Even if you can't adopt a dog, please help pass this law by writing to your state Senator and urge others to contact their state Senator too and get this law passed to not chain dogs. Here's a website on Unchaining Dogs to find out more. Find out what you can do to help pass this law.

Also, check out this site Dogs Deserve Better


These photos on this website will shock you but you need to see them to help get this law passed. They are on the Dogs Deserve Better website or go directly to these photos Shocking photos of why dogs should be Unchained.

Exercised

I got my exercising in today again and walked 2 miles. Foot still hurting but I'm just hoping the pain goes away.

Exercised Today - Yeah!

I got out and walked this morning first thing before getting on the computer. I think I may have to forgo the computer in the morning until I get my exercising in. I walked a little over a mile and a half. Comes out to 1.6 of a mile to be exact. Now I'm hoping I can keep it up tomorrow and the next day, and the next, and so on.

It's the first major amount of time I've walked since my surgery. It's been about 3 weeks now, so I'm hoping that I can get back into exercising without a problem. Still worrying about my one foot but we'll have to wait and see how it feels.

My dog also got his one lap in which is only a quarter of a mile = to .4 of a mile. He is also overweight but he's a smaller dog and doesn't like to walk much.

Snacks That Take Longer to Eat / Exercise

I bought some cherries the other day at the grocery store and they were the best one's I've had in awhile. I like the darker cherries. Sit down and have a bowl of cherries for a great snack. You can eat these slowly because you have to worry about the pit. This will keep you away from other snacking and they have more nutrition value than junk food. Cherries have vitamins A, vitamins C and potassium. Some sites say that the darker the cherry the richer it is in antioxidants.

I found this nutrition label on cherries on the Internet...(I believe this is for sweet cherries).

A few tips on how to pick cherries at the grocery store...
1. Pick cherries with the stem still on them and they should be able to store in your fridge for up to 10 days.
2. Also avoid cherries with dark colored stems.
3. Cherries should be firm to the touch but not hard.

This snack not as nutritious as cherries but will last alot longer is the good ole Tootsie Roll Pop. If you're on Weight Watchers, they are only 1 pt. and they take along time to eat.


It's nice to have these on hand in the evening when you want something but aren't hungry or just don't want to blow your whole day when you did so well keeping on track. Add a cup of tea with either the cherries or the tootsie pop and it could last you enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Exercise: Just a quick note on my exercise. I did walk yesterday but only a quarter of a mile, .4 to be exact. I didn't walk longer because it started raining pretty good here. It's been just a little over 2 weeks now since I've had my surgery and now I want to start walking more. I'm gonna try to get back into a routine.

GoD And DoG by Wendy J Francisco

Thought I'd share this. I really liked what this video is saying.

Exercise Today - Maybe

This is my 2nd week after surgery. I haven't been doing much so today I may take a short walk. Thought I'd try to get going a little bit. I need to start getting this weight off. I'm still having trouble with my one foot which no one knows what's wrong with it yet. I bought a food tracker book to write everything down. I always start out the day with good intentions of tracking and by 3 pm or so, it always seems to fall to the waste side. Keep trying I guess, never give up.

I'll probably try and go to the farmer's market today to see if I can get anything healthy and try and start counting calories and/or points like Weight Watchers. I also have to lower my carbs because of diabetes, and also now fats since I had my gallbladder removed. Pretty soon I won't be able to eat anything.

About six of us girls started our own weight loss group last week and are trying to commit to losing 10 lbs in 10 weeks. 10 in 10. We are just trying to motivate each other and give each other tips and tricks to staying in control over food and exercise. We'll see if a new group helps me out any. It maybe just what I need since not much else is helping.

National Spay/Neuter Awareness Week / Exercise

I belong to a Inspirational book group and a lady there started to suggest we do a little bit more to help make life better for someone whether it be a women's shelter, working with animals, working with the homeless, working with children, an aging home, or whatever it be, everyone could use your help in these times of trouble. Even if it's just one at a time, it matters to that one.

I had thought about it alot before it was ever mentioned but I guess now it's time to do somthing. The timing feels right now. Put my money where my mouth is so to speak. Plus, I have a little bit of extra time when the kids are in school to now help out elsewhere. Make a difference.

I thought about where I'd like to spend my time to volunteer and have always loved animals of all kinds and especially dogs. So, I recently started the process of volunteering at a animal shelter. The animals that don't get put into foster homes have to stay at the shelter in a cage all night. These animals spend at least 10 hours in their cages and can't get out to go to the potty or have human contact in those hours. I figured I could make their lives better at least by spending time with them and walking them. Getting them out to potty or whatever needs to be done. It will probably be several more weeks before I get started but I'm looking forward to it.

This Saturday is National Spay/Neuter Awareness Week and I would like everyone to please get your dog or cat spayed or neutered. This helps these poor animals from being put down if no one adopts them. And, if you can adopt an animal, please think about a shelter dog. I've adopted several animals over the years at adoption centers and they all are loving animals. The older animals are always harder to get someone to adopt them, but trust me, they make wonderful pets and you don't have to go through the puppy stage. They are are already potty trained. The one's I've adopted have been older like a year to three years old. I would consider older dogs too that can't get adopted. Heck, if I had alot of land I'd probably have a herd of dogs but unfortunetly, I don't have space for that many. So, I can help in other ways.

Please watch this video about adoption week. Go to International Homeless Animals

Here's my dog, Tucker, I adopted about seven years ago. He was about a year and a half old when I first adopted him.


In the past I've adopted several others who have sadly passed away but brought years of joy to our lives. I've had a Beagle, German Shepard, Huskies, Border Collie and several others. Even if you can't adopt, think about volunteering at your local shelter and help better the lives of these lonely animals. If you can only help one dog or cat, it's one, and it means alot to that one.

I've read that the shelters also would love donations and not just money. Some shelters also need cages, pet food, blankets, collars, leashes, etc. Call your local shelter to find out what they maybe in need of.

And, after all that you may ask; What does all this have to do with exercise? Think about it...What not multi-task? Help out an animal and also get your walking in. This will help both of you. This way if you volunteer you have to be committed to the dogs and you get your exercise in. No excuses as to why you can't do it. Even if you volunteer for something else, you are committed to being there and this will help your weight loss efforts too.

Exercise after Surgery - Movie - Books - Volunteering - Weight

Exercise: Here's my new update on my exercise since surgery. It's only been nine days since I had surgery to get my gallbladder out. I walked this morning and yesterday for about a 10 min. walk. I know it isn't much but it's a start.

Movies: I went to see Eat, Pray, Love, yesterday and really enjoyed it as a movie. All the whinny stuff was cut out of it. You can't go wrong with Julia Roberts playing in a movie so she makes it interesting.

Sometime this weekend we may go see The Expendables with Sly Stallone, B. Willis, and all the other macho guys who play in it.

I guess while I'm healing it's been a movie kind of weekend.

Books: Now onto books. What's everyone reading? Since I still can't do alot of twisting movements, I am reading (and watching movies). What else can you do? Anyway, I started the book called "The Quickening" by Michelle Hoover. I have several other books lined up, like Nancy Grace's book, Half-Broke Horses, and several others.

Volunteering: I guess this could also be in the exercise section but it's a new topic for me. The other day I felt this compelling need to voluteer at our local dog shelter. So I sent out a email and you have to go through alot of hoops just to volunteer. I figured I could go walk the dogs and do some little extra things here and there that need done. Mostly spend time with the animals to keep them company. Seems you have to take a training course to do this. I walk my dog everyday, but who knows? You need to also fill out forms, and sign you won't hold them accountable for anything that may go wrong. I thought volunteering would be easy. I figured I could help the animals by walking or taking care of them, and also helping myself with some exercise with knowing I have to be there to walk them. My dog doesn't like to walk much. So, I guess I will wait and see what happens.

Review on Weight Loss: One last thing...It's been 13 weeks now since I said I'd commit to losing weight and getting healthy. I gained 4 lbs in 3 months and lost 4 lbs in 3 months, so I am now just even after 3 months. I can't believe 3 months has gone by already. Wow! Since then I've been dealing with foot problems and gallbladder surgery. My one foot feels great now, I'm still dealing with the other foot. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything about losing weight and getting healthy. Argh! Hopefully, the next 3 months will be better.

Weight Loss - Movies - Books

Weight Issues: I got weighed this past Wed. and I'm down 4 lbs. Nothing like having surgery to make you lose weight. The only thing is I'm hoping that I don't put it back on. How much does a gallbladder weigh anyway? Well, who knows for sure? All I know is 4 lbs is 4 lbs and I'm glad I lost.

I'm feeling much better after surgery but the incisions (especially belly button one) is still a little bit sore.

I still can't exercise full force yet. Not allowed according to doctors orders. I can start walking more now though. I did notice I haven't been getting as much heart burn as I did before getting my gallbladder removed. But, on the other hand, I'm not eating exactly as I was yet either. I did eat pizza yesterday. Thought I'd give it a try. Well, not again for awhile. It didn't give me heartburn like usual but I did have a rough time. My heart was beating fast and I felt stomach sickness. May have to hold off on the hard stuff awhile longer.

I was supposed to go to a diabetes group this evening but totally forget about it. Hopefully next month.

Now onto Movie and Book Issues: I'm really not sure how the book "Eat, Pray, Love" ever became a best seller. I tried reading it months ago, and couldn't do it, then because our book group is reading it I gave it another try. I am almost done with it. For me it was okay but nothing spectacular. I'm thinking this book is going to be better as a movie. I'm hoping to go see the movie this weekend. Since Julia Roberts plays in it, I'm sure it will be good. Well, at least I hope so. Anyone else going to see it?

Cookbook: And, while we're on the topic of books I got a new cookbook on Wed. One of the churches in our area put it together with a bunch of recipes including some healthy recipes. I'm hoping to try some of them out. If I really like some, I'll take a photo and post them here.

Almost a Week After Surgery

Well, I had surgery last Wednesday and today is Tuesday. So, it's been almost a week since my surgery. Seems like yesterday I was all worried and getting wheeled in to the operating room.

I'm still having soreness which is understandable. I have four incisions in my stomach area and the one that bothers me the most is the one in my belly button. The doctor said that's where the camera went in. Then there are three other incisions where the instruments went in to get the gallbladder out. My incisions are starting to feel really itchy which is a good sign that they are healing. I still can't soak in water so I have to take a shower and then make sure the water is totally off my skin.

This week I couldn't drive because of surgery, but I can start driving again tomorrow. I guess because they don't want you twisting with the steering wheel. I haven't been taking much at all for pain as it really wasn't that painful except the first 3 or 4 days. And, then I wouldn't say painful. Mostly just a hard time moving around without it hurting.

I can't do any vigorous exercise yet. The only thing I'm allowed to do is some light walking. I have orders not to do anything with twisting and bending for at least two weeks. Then I have to start out slow and see how I feel.

Once I get healed then I have to start my exercise routine and get healthy. This is what you get when your unhealthy. Alot of organs that don't work properly.

On a good note, I have lost 4 lbs. since surgery. Although, that could have been because for the first day and a half I was on a liquid diet. I can't say for sure yet, since I haven't been quit eating like I was before the operation, but I haven't been having severe heartburn like I was before the operation. I am praying that having my gallbladder out takes away my heartburn. It's not a guarantee that it will, but I'm hoping.

So, for now, I've been catching up on my reading. Right now I'm reading, "Eat, Pray, Love". Anyone else reading it? Are you going to see the movie this weekend when it comes out? Julia Roberts plays in it. I want to start reading Nancy Grace's new book coming out today or tomorrow called, "Death on the D-List". Anyone watch Nancy and have you read her first book yet? This new book is a 2ND book with some of the same characters as she had in "The Eleventh Victim".

Other than that, I've made a few meals on the grill and haven't really been cooking much. Well, I'll report back here in a few days to my update. Hope everyone else's weight loss and exercise plans are going well.

Update on My Gallbladder Surgery

Surgery/Recovery: I had gallbladder surgery done on Wednesday morning and had to stay in the hospital one night. Out on Thursday. It's been going pretty well for the most part with recovery. Not in alot of pain yet.

After surgery I had alot of dizziness and was in recovery room a tad longer than expected. After I was getting over that, I was moved to my room. Had to have the leg compressors on while in bed just to keep from getting clots. I also have to use a breathing gadget to keep the lungs expanded after surgery. Just a precaution I guess everyone does. It helps get the air out of the lungs (I think).

The only problem I had after surgery was a major heartburn sensation. That was from the gas they give you while you're in surgery. The only way to mostly get rid of it is to walk so it gets the gas/air moving so you can burp and leave gas at the other end. (For lack of a better way of putting it.) That gets rid of the heartburn.

It's now Friday and I have some chest pain with tightness but not real bad. I'm sore in the four incisions they did while in surgery but not too bad. It isn't as bad as I anticipated. I have to walk a little bit each day to make sure I keep the blood moving in my legs so I don't get any blood clots. So overall not too bad.

I've had worse surgeries. Maybe that's why I can say it's not too bad. When I had open heart surgery that was far worse.

Well, back to this one. You can't sleep on your stomach but since I hate sleeping on my stomach anyway, that's not a problem. I like sleeping on my side which is somewhat a problem getting into that position with the cuts from surgery. A little painful. Probably for about a week I'll be sleeping more on my back. And, then in about four weeks I have a checkup with the doctor to make sure all is going well.

I'm just glad it's over. I had gallstones but the doctor said he didn't take it out so much for that, it was that my gallbladder was only working 17% which is basically not working at all. He didn't want me to end up with alot of other problems that bile can cause if it goes into the other organs. You can look up all about the bile (toxic in other body parts) on the Internet. Just type in gallbladder bile. I may have some trouble eating foods now with fat in for awhile which may give me diarrhea for several months afterward, but this is just a possibility. I've been watching what I eat right now, but I haven't been eating much since it's only been two days now since I had surgery. Not all patients have this problem with fatty foods, so I'll just have to wait and see I guess.

(Just want to add here, that this is my experience only so please make sure you ask your own doctor if anything like this happens to you.) I think everyone is a little different in their experiences.

Needless to say I can't exercise at all (except a little bit of slow walking) for about two weeks. When I say slow walking, I mean slow. I feel like I'm walking at a snails pace.

I guess I should add which I don't think I mentioned before why I went to the doctors in the first place and why they found this. I was having extreme stomach bloating, which can be one of the symtoms. I was also getting side pain (grant it, it was the left side and should have been the right side but they can't explain that one.) You're gallbladder is on the right side, but they said who knows sometimes what a bad gallbladder or anyother organ for that matter will cause when theirs something wrong with it.

Anyway, that's my update on surgery and recovery.

Gallstones and Surgery

Well, I'll be getting my gallbladder removed this week due to gallstones. This is what causes gallstones and I quote, "The most common triggers for gallbladder attacks are caffeine, chocolate, eggs, dairy products (especially ice cream) and greasy or deep fried foods." Pretty much everything I've been eating over the last several or more years. I found this information on this site here: Gallstones I'm definitely hoping for a quick recovery so I can get serious about my diet and weight loss. With weight issues, health issues sure does become a problem. This photo

also from this site shows the gallbladder and it has some really good info on this site.

I found this other photo

of a gallstone on this site here and also all about gallstone symptoms. I'm posting this photo because some of these photos with alot of gallstones just plain gross me out.

This is why when you're overweight you really need to lose and get healthy. I need to ward off all these problems associated with my bad eating habits.

I have also read through numerous other sites that 35%-75% function is normal for the gallbladder. Mine is functioning at only 17% which my doctor says pretty much isn't functioning at all. If your gallbladder stops working properly it can rupture and cause all kinds of other problems.

So, needless to say, Bye, Bye, Gallbladder.

Farmers Market = Fresh!

I went to the Farmers Market this morning in Bellefonte.

I love the new location. It's by the Gamble Mill and the parking is free. Most parking meters are set up to no longer take dimes and now are only taking quarters. Sometimes I don't have a quarter and need to worry about not having change with me to feed the meter. So, I just don't go in town to do things much. I feel they lose business by doing this. Maybe if parking was free all around people would go shopping. Who wants to come out to find a ticket on the windshield? I know I don't. Okay, Now that my rant is over back to the Farmer's Market.

While there I bought a zuchinni for .75 cents and four cucumbers for $1.00. How many grocery stores can you walk out of and pay only $1.75 for these? None that I know of.



And, You know what the best part is? They're fresh! You know it came out of someone's garden and you don't have to worry about how long it's been stored in someone's truck getting old or collecting germs from other products when there has been other foods in there.

Fresh! Fresh! Fresh! Love the local farmers selling their stuff. I can't wait for the watermelons to come.

I thought I'd also tell you it wasn't only about fruits and vegetables. I also picked up a few free recipes, they were selling a canning book, and you could even have a taste of some of the products. Just like going to Sam's club and getting a sample before you buy. Someone else was selling homemade soap, and you could even buy a T-shirt. And, it doesn't even stop there. I talked to one lady selling homemade pastas like ravoli and someone selling meats. I didn't order any yet, but I will I'm sure. I gotta tell my son about the bison meat, he loves it.

For you local's out there. It's set up on Saturday mornings from 10 am to 12 noon. Check it out. And, if you're not local, I'm sure you can find a Farmer's Market near you. It's fresher and cheaper.